Ten Biggest Lies in History That Befooled Us (With Pictures)

9. The Vermeer Forgeries of Han van Meegeren

Han van Meegeren was an artist who thought he was not appreciated enough for his craft and decided to trick art experts so that they will admit his genius. Van Meegeren forged “The Disciples at Emmaus” with great attention to detail faking the cracks and ageing hardness of an ancient painting. Experts thought that the painting was authentic. In an ironic turn of events, he had to forge another picture in front of the authorities for obtaining his freedom. He was held and tried for selling national treasure to the Nazis. The national treasure in question was one of his forged paintings.